It is no secret that television and film heavily influence the video game industry. Although not as transparent, the Zelda series has not only followed this industry trend but has also relied on multiple entertainment outlets for creative inspiration over the last several decades. Examples include the cast of Link’s Awakening mirroring the oddities of the Twin Peaks television series, and the Majora’s Mask time mechanic replicating the plot from Run Lola Run.
While the impact of television and film remains interwoven throughout the franchise’s history, one of the more pivotal inspirations is the movie actor who inspired Ganondorf’s character model in Ocarina of Time: Christopher Lambert.
Regarded as one of the most important video games in history, Ocarina of Time was revolutionary on multiple fronts. Not only did the game launch the Zelda franchise into three-dimensional gameplay, but it also laid the foundation for the series’ main storyline and lore. Perhaps the most influential change was the decision to cast Ganondorf as a human.
Prior to Ocarina of Time, players only experienced Ganondorf in his beast form of Ganon, which resembled a large pig or boar. Although A Link to the Past alludes to the fact that Ganondorf was once human, it is not until Ocarina of Time that we finally witnessed the series’ protagonist in humanoid form. This creative decision was spearheaded by longtime art director Satoru Takizawa.
With the franchise transitioning to 3D, Script Director Toru Osawa wanted to add complexity and depth to Ganondorf’s character. His vision of the antagonist was a complicated and somewhat inflicted person who would initially appear to be good but slowly delve into madness and lust for power. As such, Ganondorf’s character model had to coincide with this strategy.
Satoru Takizawa knew that he would have to reimagine the traditional design of Ganondorf in his beast form. During an interview recorded shortly after the game’s release, Takizawa revealed that French actor Christopher Lamber was the primary source behind Ganondorf’s character model. According to Takizawa, the art team “kept Christopher Lambert’s image” in their heads as they continued to polish the game.
Upon initial glance, Christopher Lambert does not appear to look anything like the Ocarina of Time version of Ganondorf. While modern-day photos perhaps fail to connect the actor to the Zelda franchise’s villain, Lambert’s role as Connor MacLeod in the popular science-fantasy movie Highlander bears a striking resemblance.
When viewed side-by-side, the faces of Ganondorf and Connor MacLeod have many eerie similarities. From the pronounced forehead and elongated nose to the deep eye sockets and unruly hairstyle, both characters have many powerful and distinct physical features that add to their complexity and mystique. You can almost feel the inner conflict and torment by starting into their eyes.
Thanks to Christopher Lambert and Highlander’s global popularity, Satoru Takizawa successfully expounded upon the Zelda lore with his portrayal of Ganondorf. Although he eventually devolves into his beast form at the end of the game, Ocarina of Time’s Ganondorf quickly became an industry icon and remains one of the most recognized villains in gaming today.
